HUMBOLDT — Although the Humboldt Collegiate Institute football team fell in its season-opening tilt, the Mohawks did not back down and had a number of positive moments upon which they can build.
On Sept. 10, HCI lost 43-27 to Martensville High School. The Royals took an early lead, but the Humboldt Collegiate team fought back to trail by just two at the half.
“I think the big thing is our kids didn’t give up,” HCI defensive co-ordinator Shaun Gardiner said. “We were down early in the game, but we fought back to 16-14. We had a touchdown called back. We had opportunities to tighten the score up.
“I was very impressed with the character of the kids, which has been very good all training camp leading into the game. The attendance at practice, the intensity, the spirit has been great. So, I was very impressed that they didn’t give up, fold, and start taking cheap penalties. They played with real good self discipline and we were happy with what they did right until the end of the game.”
Gardiner said the team was obviously disappointed with the loss but there were a lot of positives. These also included many of the players competing as starters playing their first real games in those positions and standing up to the Royals’ physicality. There were flashes of brilliance as well as some plays that were not made, perhaps due in part to nerves.
“We feel like with another game coming Friday, with a good week of practice, we feel like those things will get better,” Gardiner said.
Against the Royals, HCI ran up against a talented running back. Brody Nelson scored five touchdowns for Martensville. Heading into Friday’s home contest against Delisle Composite School, the Mohawks are seeking to clean some things up defensively and to sustain drives offensively.
The season-opening contest was HCI’s first nine-man contest since the fall of 2019. During 2020’s COVID-19 affected campaign, the Mohawks played six-man football – two games for players in grades 9-10 and one for 11-12. Speaking about getting back into competitive nine-man play, Gardiner said of last week’s game:
“It was fun to go and compete and try our strategy and see how our kids stack up against a good team from Martensville.”
Senior Girls Volleyball
The HCI Seniors Girls volleyball team had a successful start to its season as it won the Wakaw tournament last weekend. The squad only dropped three sets with a total of six games played. Coach Jarrod Regush is excited about his team’s perseverance.
“As expected, during our first tournament we have faced our own unique struggles,” he said. “Instead of caving as individuals, we came together and brought each other up as a team.”
Early on HCI’s strengths look to be chemistry and player reliability.
“Whether on or off the court, when one player is having a tough time, there is always a player there to bring them up,” Regush said. “Everyone understands that it takes a team to win and not one person can do it on their own. On the court, the overall consistency of the team is incredible for this early on in the season. Whether it is passing or serving, everyone is willing to work hard to improve.”
Katie MacLean, Maria Polimac and Paige Barlage are the team’s co-captains. Regush said they “each showed tremendous leadership throughout our first tournament of the season.”The team will play in North Battleford this weekend. Humboldt hosts its home tournament Oct. 1-2.
Senior Golf
The HCI Senor Golf team is slated to compete at the Horizon Central Athletic Association district meet on Tuesday at the Manitou Golf Club. Co-coach Yvonne Gueguen is taking the squad of Dallin Fraser, Ben Yungman, Seamus Menz and Duke Brochu to the event.
Junior Golf
St. Dominic School hosts a Junior Pre-District golf competition on Thursday at the Humboldt Golf Club. Watson will host also a HCAA Junior Pre-District event that day. The qualifiers from the pre-district competitions will go on to play at districts in Watson on Sept. 21.
“I am excited to see students interested in the game of golf,” said St. Dominic School golf coach Carolyn Janidlo-MacLean. “Sport teaches so much that can be transferred into lifelong learning and growth. Golf is a passion of mine and I like to encourage others to take up the game, improve and love it as much as I do. Having golf offered in our Humboldt schools lets all kids be exposed to the game regardless if they have parents or other family members that play. Humboldt Golf Club is a great partner with the schools and works with us to offer this great sport to students in Humboldt. We are lucky to have such a great course in our community.”
St. Dominic will send female golfers Boey Tamme and Kalli Schemenauer as well as male competitors Tryce Wallin, Terex Waldbauer, Jimmy Ingram and Landon Wegleitner to the event. HCI co-coach Kerri Archinbald said she will also have two female and four male golfers there. St. Augustine and Humboldt Public School will also send athletes to it. Usually about 60 golfers from 20 schools compete in the pre-district events.
